EU Commission calls for protection of Jews and Muslims from discrimination

The EU Council headquarters. Photo: Getty Images

The European Union has demanded an end to the persecution of religious communities worldwide. The diplomatic body of Brussels timed its statement to coincide with the International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief, reports the Brussels Times.

EU Foreign Affairs Representative Kaja Kallas highlighted the scale of the problem at the global level. According to her, nearly two thirds of the world's population live in states with serious violations of the right to freedom of conscience. Millions of people face hostility, intolerance and violence every day because of their religious beliefs, and some believers are killed for their convictions.

The internal policy of the European community provides for specific measures to combat antisemitism and Islamophobia. At the same time, the union's authorities have condemned all forms of discrimination and aggression against Christians and representatives of other faiths. Brussels promotes the rights of believers on the international stage and works closely with civil organizations, traditional churches and religious communities.

To improve the effectiveness of this work, the European Commission has appointed a new special envoy on promoting freedom of religion outside the EU. The diplomat's task is to monitor the situation in third countries and disseminate information about religiously motivated persecution.

In their address, European leaders also called on the governments of all states to protect citizens who have chosen to change or leave their religion. Diplomats strongly recommended abandoning criminal prosecution for apostasy and putting an end to the improper use of blasphemy laws.

As the UOJ reported, the Prime Minister of Georgia called the Christian faith the foundation of the aspiration to join the European Union.

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